SOS Golf: CHRISTMAS CUP

SOS is no more immune to the festive spirit than anyone else.

Team Gardner

So the last game before Christmas is not only for the highly-coveted Christmas Cup, but also the celebratory Christmas Cheer event.

Gary models his Champion hat. A little prematurely as it turned out..

No wonder membership of SOS is such a select privilege, granted only to the very lucky few.

The perks are just outrageous.

Should be enough for my sandwich

And just in case you were going to complain about the heat here, courtesy of Keith, is a reminder of the perils of playing golf in the cold.

Probably shouldn't have taken that divot.

So, where to begin? The golf of course.

Remember - he who has the fastest cart has the best lie!

A bit of a warm one, which is probably why everyone managed to get into a cart.

Eventually, in the case of Gerry, after a brave attempt to walk the course lasted to the fourth hole, at which point Jan picked up the sadly dehydrated chap in an act of mercy and resuscitated him.

We don't believe mouth-to-mouth was involved.

Oh dear, I've won another golf ball. How embarrassing.

A couple of not the greatest scores from those who really succumbed to the heat, but for the rest a solid points score, with most in the 32-36 bracket.

We thought there might be a festive shirt contest

Some real competition for the novelties this week.

NOVELTY	HOLE	CONTENDERS	WINNER

NTP in 2	3	Gary, Shelley, Jan	Peter
NTP	9	Gary, Shelley, Paul	Kerry
LD	14	Gary	Max
NTP in 3	18	Greg, John	Paul
Golden Hole	12		Brett

And the golden hole goes off again. At the request of Brett, we've all agreed to maintain the fiction that there is no generous financial gain involved, the prize is merely honorary. (He's already bought Sandy's Christmas present).

Quiz competition - who's this handsome bloke?

And the sought after Christmas Cup? A worthy winner, three points clear of the field.

PLAYER	SCORE	BIRDIES

Vickie	20
Lynne	23
Jack	23
Colin	31
Derek	32
Keith	32
Glen	32
Jan	33
Peter	33
Shelley	33	9
Max	34	9
Kerry	34
Gary	34
John	34	15, 16
Gerry	35
Greg	36
Earle	37	9, 16
Don	37
Paul	37	6
Brett	40	5, 16

Two very happy blokes

Especial thanks to Brett for sponsoring the Christmas Cup competition. Unfortunately, the rules state that you can't win your own prize - so, a rare event - the second placed player picks up the chocolates.

Congratulations, Paul. Second place on countback.

Thanks 4D

Then, it was off to Chateau Longhurst for the social event of the season - the only slightly raucous Christmas Cheer.

I expect to see this shot on the social pages on Monday

With the aid of GPS, most managed to find their way to sunny Claremont in the outer suburbs. We hope you all found your way back home safely afterwards.

Vickie levels fines on all and sundry

Keith has instituted a new fine, for trespassing - ie for playing your ball from a fairway that's not yours. Sounds fair enough!

To celebrate Christmas, we had a mega-draw for the raffle - ALL tickets sold again!!

Winners are grinners

And you'll be pleased to hear that we managed to just about drink the SOS grog stash dry, (after all, that's what it's there for), so all new and fresh for the next sausage sizzle.

Gone...all gone.

Huge thanks to all those of you who bought such wonderful food. I had planned to photograph it all, but got distracted by eating it.

And special thanks to Frances, who worked very hard and didn't play golf so she could be home getting everything organised.

Lot's of support from partners - great to see you all

The lucky dip managed to bring out the best and the worst in all of us, with the OWL being the most cherished and the most traded item - eventually going home with team Gardner.